Fernando Torres joins Chelsea in £50million record move from Liverpool

Chelsea have completed the signing of
Fernando Torres from Liverpool in a British record transfer deal worth around £50million, both clubs have confirmed.

Fernando Torres has signed a five-and-a-half year contract at Chelsea (Pic: Action Images)

Torres signed a five-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge, which will keep him at the club until 2016. The deal was confirmed minutes after the close of the January transfer window on Monday evening.

Speaking to Chelsea’s official website after completing his move, Torres said: ‘I am very happy with my transfer to Chelsea and I am looking forward very much to helping my new team-mates this season and for many years to come.

‘Having played against Chelsea many times since coming to England, and in some very big games I will never forget, I know there are many great players here and I will work hard to win a place in the team. I hope I can score some important goals for the supporters to enjoy this season.’

Chelsea’s chairman Bruce Buck added: ‘This is a very significant day for Chelsea, capturing one of the best players in the world with his peak years ahead of him. We have long admired the talents of a player who is a proven goalscorer in English football and Fernando’s arrival is a sign of our continuing high ambitious. I hope every Chelsea fan is as excited as I am with this news.’

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO OF TORRES’ CHELSEA INTERVIEW

Chelsea first launched an audacious bid for Torres on Thursday, surprising almost all pundits and Premier League fans. An initial bid of £35million was rejected by Liverpool, as was a transfer request by the Spanish striker.

However, Chelsea returned with an improved bid on Monday, the final day of the transfer window, sparking a flurry of activity. Liverpool immediately went looking for a replacement for their star striker and bid £35million for Newcastle forward Andy Carroll .